The Pilot Project Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

A plane is down. Help is needed. You get the call. What is it like to know that seconds count? What happens when you're fuel critical and have a patient that needs to get to a hospital? What does it take to earn the coveted Cormorant Trophy? Paula Findlater is a Search and Rescue pilot in the RCAF. She has over 1000 hours on the CH-146 Griffon flying with 439 Combat Support Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec. We'll sit down and hear about the day her crew earned the Cormorant Trophy on this latest episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.

What is it like to take overwatch on Canadian troops on patrol in Afghanistan? What was it like when Kandahar Airfield came under attack? What is the future of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Canada? In this episode, we sit down with Carson Choy, an Air Combat Systems Officer who flies on the CP-140M Aurora. Carson did two tours in Afghanistan flying the IAI Heron, one with the RCAF and one on exchange with the RAAF. We'll learn about all these things and more in this episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.

This week on The Pilot Project Podcast, we’ll explore the events surrounding September 11 as viewed through the eyes of three air traffic controllers who were on duty on or following that day. Each provides a unique perspective.

What was it like for a Canadian military controller working in New York at the time? What about a civilian controller working in Gander, a town of 9000 that took on 6000 stranded passengers? How did an isolated NORAD detachment in Inuvik respond to the changing situation?

We will hear these stories and more in this week’s episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.

After beginning pilot training with his sights set on fighters, Blake McNaughton's career took a series of unexpected turns that ultimately led him to become a flying instructor, a Snowbird, and eventually a search and rescue pilot.

In this episode, Blake shares lessons from thousands of hours teaching on the CT-156 Harvard and CT-155 Hawk, the demanding process of earning a spot on the Snowbirds, and the realities of performing in one of Canada's most recognizable aviation teams. He also reflects on setbacks, mentorship, leadership, and what it was like to return to pilot training years later to learn helicopters before joining the CH-149 Cormorant community.

From formation flying and airshows to resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning, this conversation offers valuable insight for anyone pursuing a career in military aviation. 

CONTINUE THE FLIGHT

Interested in another Snowbirds perspective? Check out our interview with Maryse Carmichael:
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/snowbirds-the-pause-part-1-first-female-jet-demonstration-pilot-and-flying-the-ct-114-tutor-maryse-carmichael

HEAR MORE SNOWBIRDS EPISODES

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=snowbirds

EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

What are the paths you can take to join the RCAF as a pilot? How much time will you have to serve? What are the eyesight requirements for a pilot? What can you do to make yourself an attractive applicant? Paul has flown the CP-140M Aurora and most recently been posted to Canadian Forces Recruiting Group in Borden, Ontario. There he became extremely well-versed in the ins and outs of recruiting; and gained a passion for helping applicants to succeed.

Paul will talk about his advice for successfully joining the RCAF as a pilot, answer the questions kindly supplied by listeners and the Canadian Forces Subreddit and much more on this latest episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.

What does it take to land a helicopter on a pitching ship deck at night in bad weather? How do you come back from tragedy and the loss of good friends? Corey has flown the Cyclone around the world from the decks of Royal Canadian Naval ships. He also instructs the helicopter course at 3CFFTS in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. 

Corey will talk about his experiences flying the Cyclone and his journey to recovery after the Stalker 22 crash. He’ll talk about why growth happens on those dark and stormy nights when your NVGs fail and much more on this latest episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.

Davis Clark joins us to share what it's like to fly the CP-140 Aurora, one of the Royal Canadian Air Force's most versatile aircraft. A longtime Aurora pilot, instructor, and multiple-time Op IMPACT veteran, Davis discusses his path into military aviation, overcoming challenges during flight training, and why he chose the Long Range Patrol community. 

The conversation explores the Aurora's diverse missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, counter-narcotics operations, and Arctic sovereignty patrols. Davis also provides an inside look at Aurora training, crew upgrades, deployments over Iraq and Syria, and the realities of operating in a combat environment. Whether you're interested in military aviation, maritime patrol, or RCAF operations, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of Canada's most important air capabilities. 

CONTINUE THE FLIGHT

Long Range Patrol: The Poseidon SEEDCORN Part 1: RAF Exchange, Flying the P-8 Poseidon and Tracking Russian Submarines - Dylan Gilje-Allan & Matt Chretien
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/long-range-patrol-the-poseidon-seedcorn-part-1-dylan-gilje-allan-and-matt-chretien

Long Range Patrol: The Poseidon SEEDCORN Part 2: Flying the P-8 Poseidon with the RAF and Building Canada's Future Fleet - Dylan Gilje-Allan and Matt Chretien
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/long-range-patrol-the-poseidon-seedcorn-part-2-dylan-gilje-allan-and-matt-chretien

MORE LONG RANGE PATROL EPISODES

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=Long+Range+Patrol

EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

The RCAF has frozen the hiring process for direct entry officer (DEO) applicants. Why are they doing this? What does it mean? How long will it last? We'll sit down with Brigadier General John Alexander, commander of 2 Canadian Air Division to answer all these questions and more. John has flown several helicopters around the world including a stint flying the Puma with the RAF. He has deployed in many theatres and is now in command of 2 CAD which handles all training and education in the RCAF. He'll answer a ton of questions asked by you, the audience, and the Canadian Forces subreddit.

What is it like to fly Canada’s tactical airlift fleet? How about showing up as the fleet’s only female pilot (at the time)? How does it feel to land by an active volcano, or to explore the globe on one of Canada’s busiest fleets?

After flying all around the world as well as instructing on the CC-130J Super Hercules, Skye has been there, done that, and thrived in the RCAF. 

Skye will talk about why a stick of gum and a whole lot of knowledge can get you out of almost any situation.  She’ll also talk about taking part in evacuations during Alberta’s wildfires, overcoming imposter syndrome, and how she overcame the biggest scare of her flying career through openness and honesty.

What does it take to switch from a different trade to pilot, and what is the process? What does it feel like to be in flight training in the RCAF right NOW?

After extensive experience as an Air Combat Systems Officer (ACSO) Scott decided to join the good guys and be a pilot. He just finished a shortened Phase I course and has began his training in Phase II. In this episode we check in with him to hear his experiences as an ACSO on the Alpha Jet, doing electronic warfare, and what it’s like to be a pilot trainee right now in the RCAF.

Scott talks about what it's like to turn 'n burn in an Alpha Jet and the importance of Electronic Warfare in the battlespace, as well as the importance of teamwork during flight training. He'll talk about student life, what it's like at the mess, and why preparation and visualization (chair flying) are critical to success.